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Hard apple cider is made from fermented apple juice. Image Credit: Samohin/iStock/Getty Images Hard apple cider is becoming more popular in the United States, reports “The Seattle Times,” with sales increasing by 50 percent from 2011 to 2012. Made from a fermented mixture of yeast and freshly pressed apple juice, hard apple cider’s alcohol content is comparable to that of beer – around 4.5 percent to 6 percent alcohol by volume; however, according to “St....

Working out with hand weights for walking may offer more risks than benefits. Image Credit: kali9/E+/GettyImages Working out with hand weights for walking may offer more risks than benefits. While adding hand weights to aerobic activities can increase energy expenditure, it can also cause injuries. Advertisement There are alternatives to hand weights that provide a safer resistance training element to your walking routine. If you do use hand weights for walking, take extreme caution to reduce injury risk....

One of the best leg stretches, the quad stretch can help loosen all the muscles across the front of your thigh. Image Credit: Nitat Termmee/Moment/GettyImages Just thinking about all your legs power you through — running, walking, standing, jumping, climbing stairs — is enough to leave you exhausted and very, very stiff. But how do you loosen tight leg muscles? With some stretches, of course. Advertisement Your legs are comprised of 5 different muscle groups, including your quads, hamstrings, adductors, abductors and calves (yep, even calf stretches are a thing)....

Hamburger meat can be part of a healthy weight loss plan, just be sure to buy lean ground beef in preparation. Image Credit: katerinasergeevna/iStock/GettyImages Beef, pork, poultry and fish can all fit into a healthy weight loss plan. Advertisement The best meats for weight loss includes lean cuts of protein. Video of the Day Lean meats are best for weight loss because they're rich in protein while generally low in fat....

Fruits, vegetables, wine and tea are all rich sources of flavonoids. Image Credit: Compassionate Eye Foundation/Natasha Alipour Faridani/DigitalVision/GettyImages You’ve heard that “eating the rainbow” is good for your health, but do you know why? For one, colorful produce contains special compounds called flavonoids, which are plant-based nutrients that offer plenty of health benefits from reducing inflammation to slashing your risk of certain diseases. Advertisement Flavonoids are antioxidants that play a significant role in heart health and are linked to lower rates of diseases caused by free-radical damage, such as cancer....

Low MCHC and MCH levels could indicate an iron deficiency, which would mean that you need to include more iron in your diet. Image Credit: Elena_Danileiko/iStock/GettyImages Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) are indicators of your hemoglobin levels. Low MCHC and MCH levels are a sign of anemia, often caused by an iron deficiency, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Advertisement Tip Low MCHC and MCH levels could indicate an iron deficiency, which would mean that you need to include more iron in your diet and maybe even take iron supplements, per your doctor’s prescription....

Some yogurts can cause bloating. Image Credit: Thodsapol Thongdeekhieo / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Yogurt is rich in protein and calcium and is often listed as a food you should include in your healthy diet plan. But if you have tummy troubles, you may wonder: Why do certain yogurts cause bloating? Well, your bloating may be due to a number of reasons. Some reasons stem from the yogurt itself, and others are because of added ingredients....

Yep, sneezes can have their own aroma. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Ever notice a lingering odor after you sneeze? If you have a smelly sneeze, you might be wondering about the source of the stank and whether it’s normal. Advertisement We spoke to Anthony G. Del Signore, MD, PharmD, director of rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, to learn what various types of sneeze scents could say about your health....

Winter weight gain can feel inevitable. Here are some tips for staying healthy this season. Image Credit: urbazon/E+/GettyImages Winter is a festive time for many people — full of holiday celebrations, good food, vacations and a lot of time spent indoors being cozy. But the fun parts of the season can also be causes of winter weight gain. Advertisement The colder months are all about gathering around comfort food and staying warm inside, so it's completely normal to gain some weight during this time....

Measuring a bicycle tire takes a few, simple steps. Image Credit: zozzzzo/iStock/Getty Images Bicycle tire measurements have two components. The larger number is the tire diameter in inches, and the smaller number is the tire width in inches. Tire diameter usually ranges from 12 to 26 inches, and tire width normally ranges from 1.75 to 2.215 inches. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed another bicycle tire measurement system that uses millimeters to measure the width of the tire and the inner diameter, also called the bead seat diameter....

When you feel the urge to smoke, try chewing some gum instead. Image Credit: Ivan Nanita / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Quitting smoking is often linked to weight gain, as cigarettes are appetite suppressants and nicotine speeds up your metabolism. However, with strategic planning and healthy food choices, you can manage any post-smoking metabolism drops. Advertisement Read more: Smoking Cigarettes: A Prime Risk Factor for Heart Palpitations Video of the Day How Smoking Affects Metabolism “In a nutshell, when you smoke, the nicotine in the tobacco makes your heart beat faster, which speeds up your metabolism,” says Nikola Djordjevic, MD, a family physician and medical advisor at HealthCareers....

A cooked rib roast. Image Credit: C3PICS/iStock/Getty Images Microwave, cold water and refrigerator thawing are the three safe ways to thaw a rib-eye roast. Microwave thawing is different, however, in that you must cook the meat as soon as it thaws. This is because microwave thawing does not occur evenly and chances are good that the outside of your roast will start to cook while the inside is still thawing. Immediate cooking is then necessary to destroy bacteria that thawing temperatures cannot kill....

Increased heart rate and respiration often occur together. Jogging up a few flights of stairs or chasing your kids around the backyard can easily cause your heart rate and respiration to increase. In these types of situations, heart rate and respiration changes are typically harmless and often correct themselves with a few minutes of rest. However, there are several situations where an increased heart rate and shortness of breath indicate a very serious medical problem....

Missing exercise one day isn't bad, but don't make it a habit. Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages A busy schedule, waning motivation and tough workouts can all make you think twice before heading to the gym. While missing one day of exercise won’t completely derail your process, making it a habit can. Advertisement Before you skip a workout, consider your motives. When in the name of rest and recovery, skipping a day can be beneficial....

Quinoa is rich in fiber. Image Credit: voraorn/iStock/Getty Images Rich in protein, quinoa is a psuedo-grain that is native to the Andes Mountains. Quinoa’s benefits are largely due to its fiber content, as well as the fact that it’s gluten free, meaning that it’s safe for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Advertisement Tip Quinoa's fiber content — 5 grams per 1-cup serving — may help improve digestive problems. Dietary fiber keeps you regular, regulates blood sugar and promotes satiety, among other benefits....

Smartfood is best as an occasional snack. Image Credit: Towfiqu Photography/Moment/GettyImages It’s mid-afternoon and you’re feeling snackish, but you don’t want to destroy your diet — what about that unclaimed bag of Smartfood popcorn you eyed in the break room? Probably not a smart choice. While air-popped popcorn can be healthy, pre-packaged popcorn is often high in fat, sodium and sugar. Advertisement Tip Smartfood popcorn is a better choice than other popular snacks, but it does contain sugar, artificial flavors and large amounts of sodium....

You don't have to suffer through winter workouts. Image Credit: LuckyBusiness/iStock/GettyImages Once the leaves fall off the tree and the weather turns colder, tank tops and shorts no longer cut it on your outdoor runs. Time to upgrade your winter-workout wardrobe and add some hoodies and full-length leggings into the mix. Advertisement Because let's face it: While cycling in the latest, greatest workout clothes might not improve your pace, the sheer fact that you're not freezing your seat off will definitely help with the endurance aspect....

Turkey wings make a great, high-protein appetizer, snack or addition to a main course. Image Credit: fired1991/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Calories and Fat Protein Nutrients Considerations Turkey wings are dark meat, which makes them higher in fat and calories than white-meat turkey. However, turkey wings are a source of protein and other nutrients, such as selenium, iron and calcium. Advertisement A roasted turkey wing makes for a protein-packed main course. If you're watching your intake of cholesterol, it's best to remove the skin from the turkey wing before eating....

Loss of muscle can be alarming. Muscle wasting, or atrophy, results from muscle disuse over a long period or from malnutrition. The muscle tissue decreases in bulk and length, which results in a noticeable loss of size and definition. Neurological deficiencies limit range of motion, and can also result in a loss of size and power, causing your muscles to atrophy. Muscle wasting can be debilitating, particularly if it results from malnutrition related to a disease....

The nutritional benefits of the potato have been a source of debate because of its starch and glucose content. Image Credit: Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images Potatoes pack an abundance of nutritional value, including a high dose of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. One of the potato’s greatest nutritional offerings is its carbohydrate content. Potatoes contain both simple and complex carbohydrates, as well as a substantial amount of dietary fiber. Most of the carbohydrates in potatoes are complex carbohydrates, called starch....